Codey Herrmann Pleads Guilty To The Rape And Murder Of Aiia Maasarwe

Codey Herrmann is due in court today after pleading guilty to the rape and murder of Aiia Maasarwe

AAP

2019-06-07T01:01:36+00:00

Codey Herrmann has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of international student Aiia Maasarwe.

Codey Herrmann appeared via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday over the January 16 attack, and when asked how he would plead to the charges of rape, and murder, answered: “I plead guilty”.

The 21-year-old woman’s body was discovered in the northern suburb of Bundoora, not far from where she alighted the route 86 tram on her way home after a night at a city comedy club.

Maasarwe's body was found near a tram stop in Melbourne's north on in January 2019.

Aiia Maasarwe was found dead in Bundoora on Wednesday morning.

Police believe the 21-year-old, who was studying at La Trobe University, was attacked soon after she stepped off the tram about 12.10am.

The Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, was killed while on the phone with her sister.

Police launched a massive manhunt following the discovery of Maasarwe's body, releasing CCTV images of Maasarwe as well as images of a t-shirt and cap that were found near the crime scene.

At the time Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper described the attack as both "random" and "opportunistic" and said police were investigating whether she was stalked after getting off the tram.

The matter will be listed for directions in the Supreme Court next Wednesday.